Chapter 31

Jia opens her eyes with the smell of sweets. Her body aches but she has a good sleep despite the memories slowly coming to her consciousness. Jia quickly rises from bed only to see the innocent pair of eyes. Daniel is awake while no one is in the room. Jia’s cheeks turn red when she realizes the time. It’s already 6:30 in the morning. She remembers pulling a crazy stunt last night and getting busted by Yejun. Before Jia could react, the door opened and the caretaker bows her head after recognizing her.

“Uhm… I-I… I’m going, I’m sorry for the disturbance. I’ll be going, Daniel.” Jia quickly leaves the room pulling her scarf, awkwardly smiling at the child. She receives a small chuckle before Daniel waves a cute goodbye using his tiny palm.

She walks faster, afraid that Yejun would see her walking out of the room. Fortunately, Jia exits the building without passing into Yejun's shadow. She runs to the pavement; the air is extra humid with a cool breeze stifling her. Jia is sensitive to the cold and she begins feeling dizzy as she walks to call for a taxi.

Jia shudders from the wind that blows in her face. She hugs herself when a taxi stops in front, Jia grabs the handle and slides herself inside, closing the door, finally being able to breathe because of the heater that touches her bare face. She told her address, seconds later, they were hitting the road.

The traffic made Jia feel hungry. She doesn’t remember if she ate last night but she really feels embarrassed panicking like crazy and she even sleeps in the hospital! She’s glad that Yejun wasn’t present when she woke up because Jia wasn’t confident to face him at least after she was dragged into the room and slept like a log. Jia pulled her hair hoping what she did was a dream but even if she hurt her head, she remained in her seat, no enchantment or dreams teleporting her to her room. It really happened and Jia wanted to sink in her seats rejecting her actions.


She isn’t sure what to do when she reaches home. No one commented that she did not come back last night. She showered, blow-dried her hair, and put on some pajamas. She will not go to school! She would rather die than face Yejun. Jia went to her bed and texted Yumi that she won’t go to school. She also texted Yejun that she was already at home in case he looks for her. She receives a reply but Jia has already turned off her phone. She looks at the ceiling, feeling restlessness. She deeply breathed, massaging her temple and letting herself self-relax… It's been a while since Jia calms down, she feels the adrenaline every time she goes to school and meets her friends. Jia blink acknowledges the address she naturally thinks of the people in the club. She finally admits that they are her friends. What now? She thought. Days are speeding and Jia has no plans or thoughts about what will happen to her or the people she is protecting. She only wanted to do things right, making them happy and helping them to choose their dreams, not sabotaging them as she did in the past.

But Jia is scared… To the future… To the present. She had this sick feeling since she came back. She thought, what made her change? Why did she pursue the forbidden and what is it to her if they aren’t happy? It’s not her problem anymore. She currently helps them enough on regressing time. She could just do all she wanted and act as nothing happened. Not guilty of anything because they are not going to die. So what? Why? How does she feel restless and anxious? Jia is sure that she won’t create evil deeds anymore. She breathes harder and a moan escapes from her lips. Impossible… She has no answers. She was just plain stupid making her like ten times harder before perishing to the world. Jia closed her eyes, not to sleep but she wanted to be sucked by the darkness to clear her head. She badly needs a break.


--

The next day, Jia is still under the weather. She hugs Yumi tightly and never leaves her side. She feels sensitive when Yumi goes to the restroom and follows her everywhere she goes. She acted weird but Yumi is loving this side of Jia. She lets Jia cling to her and even stares at her in class. Penelope and Yejun looked at her with concern, mostly Yejun because he hadn't conversed with her after the hospital incident.

“Guys, listen! The trip is the day after tomorrow, there's Filipino staff that will pick us up at the airport. Her name is Jazzaliz Alvarez. She works in the orchestra as a staff member managing visitors such as us. The plan is to go straight to the concert but she just informed me that the date is moved and we have three days before the concert event… In short, we have free time to do whatever we want in Japan!” Hyuk watches them react positively but only to see different reactions from the members.


Jia is still in a daze while her arm is clinging to Yumi like a baby. Juno looks at Jia with awe like he has something to say. Penelope looks like she is thinking deeply while Yejun is on his phone scrolling something. Yumi looks surprised and Hyuk understands it because of her upcoming birthday.


“Okay. I did not foresee silence but yeah. If you guys have trouble, feel free to tell me.”

“Yumi’s birthday is coming. We can celebrate it in Japan though,” Jia commented. Her eyes are sleepy but her voice is clear. She glances at her best friend that only snaps back to reality after hearing her speak exactly about her concerns.


“Uhm.” Yumi fidget, not sure what to say. “Mom doesn’t like me to go but Dad said I can and he can take care of mom. I-I... I’m… just a… guilty about it after knowing that the concert is delayed.” Says Yumi, jerking her head to meet Jia’s face.


“Then what about inviting your mom too? She likes orchestra, right?” Juno commented innocently, only to receive a ridiculous stare from Jia. Juno sneers recognizing the judgmental gaze from his friend.


“Oh Yeah? Have you seen Yumi’s mother Juno? Jia challenged, about to burst into laughter. She is finally not in a daze and looks at Juno's confused face.


“Nope.”

“Of course. You won’t… We stayed in the best resort in Jeju and she nearly bought it because she likes their jacuzzi. Bringing Yumi’s mom means royal Yang.” Jia rolled her eyes after seeing Juno widen his eyes.


“Wow. That’s cool?” Juno choked on his words but the members only shook their heads to him.


“It’s not an option, instead I have a plan. Don’t worry so much babe.” Jia winks at Yumi and they move on.


Hyuk narrowed his eyes but proceeded to their next topic. Jia rests her head on Yumi and doesn’t listen to Hyuk speaking. She hugs Yumi like a Koala, feeling a darting gaze from Yejun and Juno. She ignores them and feels comfortable with Yumi’s warmth and peach smell that always reminds her of home. She relaxes her body.

End of chapter 31.